How to Throw a Girlfriends' Cookie Swap

If you don't do something nice for yourself this holiday season, you'll be one angry elf by the time New Year's arrives. So send your husband and kids out and pour yourself a little drink — this party's just for you and the girls.

Spread the word. Ask guests to RSVP with the kind of cookie they're making. Include the number of cookies people should bring (which is also the number they'll take home).

Set the mood. Play holiday tunes — ironically or not — and serve a few savory finger foods (primarily for display purposes — who lunges for crudités over chocolate?). Then pick a beverage, such as peppermint martinis, hot chocolate, or wine. REDBOOK's food editor, Barbara Chernetz, likes a nice bubbly prosecco like Nino Franco or Mionetto with her cookies. Bonus points: Have milk in the fridge for dunking.

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Swap. Ask guests to bring their cookies on a platter and lay them all out on your dining room table. Everyone packs up a few cookies from each platter to take home. Grab some of everything so you end up with a nice variety. Hoarders subject to group ridicule!

Hit send. Post-party, have guests email their recipe to the group so if you can't get those ginger crisps out of your head, you can whip up more at home — and not share them with anybody.